Mowing Kubota mower spindle grease frquency?

sixdogs · Feb 15, 2009

I have a B7800 with a 72" mid mower and cannot understand how often I should grease the mower spindles. There is no mention in the manual and the dealer had a fuzzy stare when I asked.
If the bearings are sealed, I presume I can or will blow out the seals with too much grease? If not sealed will I grease enough? I don't know.
So I grease the spindles a couple pumps every other time I mow three acres and hope for the best. I grease the wheels every time.

No one seems to know. If fact, I asked the question here a couple years ago and no one knew. Maybe now? Anybody have any idea what is correct?

Ace3 · Feb 15, 2009

If there is a grease fitting, I grease it about every ten hours of running. Its probably over kill but it makes me feel good.

KennyV · Feb 15, 2009

Most mower quills use shielded bearings not sealed bearings. Most are also under greased at delivery.
The next time you remove the blades take the steel cup off that is just above the blade. Pump grease into the top of the assembly until it vents out the bottom. Replace everything and give it a few pumps every 20 hours or so, this will keep things lubed and will push any contaminated grease out. KennyV.

Toolguy · Feb 15, 2009

I grease the 60" MMM on my B3030 at least every time I refuel the tractor. Don't worry about hurting anything by overgreasing. The worst that will happen is you will have grease thrown around the top of the mower deck by the turning spindles. It is important to have the top bearing full of grease so that water cannot get into it. I had that happen on mine the first year because I didn't grease it enough. Had to replace the top bearing on the left spindle. Gravity will keep grease in the bottom bearing. As the spindle turns it becomes warm and the grease naturally moves down into the lower bearing. The top one needs pressure to force the grease up there. When you see a little grease coming out around the top bearing under the pulley you have done it correctly. On my MMM the left spindle has a fitting on top. The center one has a fitting that goes to the bottom bearing only because the top bearing is in the gearbox and is lubed by the gear oil. The right spindle has a fitting on top and also one on the bottom.I usually put 8-10 pumps of grease in the left spindle and 4-5 in the center and into each one on the right with my pistol grip grease gun. It has been running smooth and quiet for the last three years. Grease is cheaper than bearings. Good luck.

john_bud · Feb 15, 2009

A shot of grease every time you use it. Probably overkill.

jb

sixdogs · Feb 16, 2009

Wow, that was quick. I think problem solved. Thank you all very much.

KennyV--How does the cup come off? Is it just held on by the blade?

Renob · Feb 16, 2009

sixdogs said:
Wow, that was quick. I think problem solved. Thank you all very much.

KennyV--How does the cup come off? Is it just held on by the blade?

Yes. Bolt, washer(s), blade and then the cup.

MessickFarmEqu · Feb 16, 2009

10 Hours is the 'offical' recomendation.

Bob_Young · Feb 16, 2009

When I was picking up my new B7610 a few years ago, one of the old timers came out of the shop, looked me in the eye and said, "Hit the mower spindle zerks everytime you mow."

I've done that and had no problems.

Once I got the bright idea of pumping grease into them until I saw it coming out somewhere. When full, it will come out underneath the deck, as I recall. Took nearly an entire tube of grease to do it....something like 100 strokes.

The mower seemed to run extra quiet for a few hours, but there was grease all over the top of the deck when I finished. Didn't like the mess. Also didn't like that it seemed to want another 100 strokes the next time I mowed. Went back to giving each four or five strokes at every mowing. Still some mess on the deck, but not nearly as much.
Bob